Lead use on roofing

The history of lead

Lead has been used in construction for many years. It’s believed that lead was mined as far back as 6500 BC and was used in the construction of Roman aqueducts as far back as 500 BC. As well as being used by the Romans and the Normans in buildings, it’s thanks to lead being used in church roofs that these renowned and prized buildings have survived so well over the years.

Lead use today

The use of lead roofs has continued to grow thanks to its proven success in the past. Because of the great properties it has, lead is still the preferred material today for roofers and it is used in various ways, from valleys and gutters to flashing and for flat roofs. Lead is also used in downpipes and water hoppers.

DK Roofing carries out a wide variety of works using sheet lead ranging from simple roof flashings, valleys, abutment flashings (which are designed to prevent rainwater from penetrating between the wall and the roof covering) and roof penetrations to more complex work on dormers and roofing features.

Benefits of Lead on Roofs

Lead has many great benefits, making it perfect for use in roofing. It is easy to work with, durable and highly resistant to corrosion.

Another benefit of lead is that lead roofs look attractive. Its malleability makes it perfect for hidden gutters and valleys which churches have always had, while older buildings have used lead in turrets and to line roofs. Today, modern homes use lead roofing not just to protect their home, but also as part of the overall appearance of the outside of the house.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of lead and how it can be used in your roofing, both to protect your home and to improve its appearance, then get in touch with DK Roofing today.

Caring for your roof - and the environment

A major concern that many people have is how sustainable and environmentally friendly the products are that we use, and when it comes to using lead, you are in safe hands.

Lead has been in use for a long time and is known to last for up to 500 years, making it very environmentally friendly. It’s also 100% recyclable and today, around 95% of the lead that’s used by roofers is sourced from recycled materials. Very little lead is wasted or not re-used so if you have any concern about using lead and its impacts on the environment, then rest assured that lead is a very eco-friendly product.

The use of milled lead

Milled lead sheets are made using steel rollers to make sure that it is consistent in its design and thickness. Consistency is important when used on roofing to make sure that the entire roof, including areas such as valleys and gutters, are protected from rain and damp. Because of the way that milled lead is created, it’s often referred to as ‘rolled lead’.

When to consider using lead

If your roof is in need of repair or you are experiencing water ingress into your home, then contact our roofers, here at DK Roofing, to understand your options. Depending on the level of repairs needed, lead is likely to be used as part of any new materials that we use.

If your roof is in good condition then you still might want to make changes to improve or enhance the appearance of your roof, and of your overall property. We would be happy to advise on your options.

Get in touch with our lead roofers in Hertfordshire 

Lead roofing can be used on a range of different properties including office buildings, retail shops and homes. It doesn’t matter whether you have a pitched or flat roof, lead is still used to provide the highest level of protection, while improving overall appearance.

The cost of lead for roofs

Whilst lead for roofs maybe a little bit more expensive than other substitutes that are available, the benefits of using lead far outweigh any extra costs. Not only is lead a great material to use when protecting and enhancing a property, it’s life span is so long that the long-term costs are lower.

Ready to get in touch?

At DK Roofing, all our lead roofers are trained on the Basic Sheet Lead Welding and Bossing courses at the Lead Sheet Association. If you require any lead work for your home or other property, including office or workplace then call our friendly team of professionals today for a FREE no-obligation quotation!